Absolutely Swell

Girls Live Here.

2012-01-28T14:19:00.004Z

28 January.

2012-01-28T14:19:00.000Z

A Day in the Life.

2012-01-28T14:16:00.003Z

Morning sunshine, tea in bed, a walk around the neighborhood, book club, beer can chicken, rhubarb and blood orange pavlova & drinks at the Whistling Shop.

18 January.

2012-01-20T02:13:00.000Z

I think one of the most interesting things about attending a funeral are the people there and their stories of the connections they have to the lost loved one. Of course i knew my grandfather was an extraordinary man, but the little anecdotes and the people who showed up unexpectedly were what really got to me emotionally. People come out of the woodwork who expand stories of what his passage from San Francisco to India during WWII was like, and how once he helped bend some rules as an underwriter to help out a colleague, or how he made it a point to know every single person's name and where they were from at his church. Family travelled from upstate new york to attend the service and seeing them was one of the first things to make me lose my composure. I was so overjoyed that this part of our family was there that i hadn't seen since i was six years old, and it meant so much to share the day with us bringing back so many great memories. Funerals are hard, and this was no different, but what surprised me most was what bits of the day really moved me most.

A lot.

2012-01-18T01:54:00.001Z

(Grandpa on the far left, with his brothers and sisters)

A lot has been going on in my life lately, and now it's found me having to go back home to the states for the second time in the past month to attend my grandfather's funeral. He died last week on the 11th day of the 1st month of the year at 11 o'clock. Lots of ones, a number i've always been fond of, and a day i always remember because it's one of my best friend's birthdays and the inverse of my birthday, something we always got a kick out of -- 11/1, 1/11. Whenever i'm home and things are feeling hard i tend to hang around the kitchen more than usual, and nothing has been different this time. In the past 12 hours i've made an olive oil cake, brownies and chocolate chip cookies. But really, the thing i'm most excited about is Marcela Hazan's trusty Bolognese Sauce that is simmering away. Best after having bubbled for at least five hours, it's even more satisfying because it has a few more steps than your typical simple pasta sauce. Tomorrow we will eat it as a family, and there's not much more that could make me happier right now.

London Life.

2012-01-11T22:08:00.000Z

Brunch and booze and card games for bad people.

Mishkin's.

2012-01-11T22:05:00.001Z

Last weekend i finally made it to Mishkin's, a place that bills itself proudly in gold letters on the windows as serving meat loaf, gin and salt beef. Pretty much my ideal. We sat at the bar and were served by the lovely and knowledgeable staff who LOVE gin. We sampled the hot dog, the reuben, fried brussels sprouts, matzo ball soup and delicious gin drinks. I kind of don't want to even tell anyone about it. But, i guess i'll let you in on it.

Little Things.

2012-01-11T21:57:00.000Z

Something i really enjoyed while i was home was opening the fridge and having hard boiled eggs there for the taking. My mom boils them up at the beginning of the week, and they're the best on hand snack with a bit of salt and pepper. I miss this.

David Chang Knows What's Up.

2012-01-04T17:55:00.004Z

David Chang's Lucky Peach is something i eagerly await each time it comes out. It's a magazine... but written in such a personal way that will have you sucked in and cracking up every few minutes. This spread is simple, but rings so true. Listen to him.

Instant.

2012-01-01T22:54:00.005Z

The End and the Beginning.

2012-01-01T22:52:00.001Z

The last two months of this year have been trying. Sometimes it feels like life throws you lots of things to juggle just to see how you'll handle it. 2012 is going to be rough, but at least i'm a bit prepared this time around.

Christmas Time.

2011-12-27T19:19:00.002Z

An Experiment.

2011-12-27T19:13:00.003Z

Tis the season, right?

MirrorCube.

2011-12-23T16:43:00.001Z

So, there have been treehouse hotels before... but a treehouse hotel that is a mirror? That's pretty awesome. Time to make a trip to sweden again.

Life Lately.

2011-12-18T16:52:00.001Z

Things as of late.

A Country Jaunt.

2011-12-16T20:24:00.001Z

I always debate whether or not it's worth it to go on short jaunts out of london. Beforehand it always seems like a hassle to travel on trains and buses for a little bit of fresh air, but i can never resist, and it's always worth it. I'm not sure why i always put up a fight in my own head. This trip was no different. A trip that lasted 24 hours and was worth every minute. I decided to bring along my camera because i'd been missing taking pictures lately and snapped almost 200. There was lots to capture. Venison pie for thirteen, champagne cocktails, a walk over streams and through fields, and all around cozy.

Juice.

2011-12-04T18:22:00.001Z

Two guys and two crates of clementines made a whole lot of delicious juice.

Lately.

2011-12-04T18:15:00.001Z

Here's are some things i've seen and done lately. The beginnings of red wine and brown sugar poached quince, a magnificent brunch, and a simple breakfast.

It's That Time of the Year.

2011-11-30T18:46:00.001Z

Tis the season for sparkle, and here's what i have my eye on this year. Bring on the Christmas parties...

Hot Off the Presses.

2011-11-18T18:40:00.001Z

Another issue of ArtWrit, and this time i wrote a piece on the beautiful show that linked Turner, Monet and Twombly in Stockholm. Check it out here.

Good Start To The Day.

2011-11-17T10:30:00.001Z

London Fog.

2011-11-17T10:28:00.001Z

You don't know cloudy until you've lived in london. It's more than just clouds. It's dense fog, that sometimes makes it impossible to see across the street. It's days like this that make you want to curl up with tea and a book and never leave the house.

Perfect Time Keeper.

2011-11-13T18:59:00.001Z

Why, oh why does this cost so much? A lovely time keeper for the wall of a future home.

On the wish list.

2011-11-12T17:06:00.002Z

Can't wait to browse through this.

Go Here.

2011-11-11T18:47:00.002Z

If you haven't looked at this site, you really need to get on it. A refreshing take on short interviews that i actually have the patience to read. Hooray!

A Beautiful Book.

2011-11-09T10:44:00.002Z

Just wanted to write a quick post about the lovely book Brian just had published called Quality of Life. Full of the beautiful photos you can see on his blog, they're now in hard copy form. Grab it here.

Birthday Breakfast.

2011-11-09T10:39:00.002Z

Starting out your birthday with a table that looks like this can't be wrong... can it? A damson gin champagne cocktail, scrambled eggs, OSCAR MEYER BACON that we found in london somehow, and toast. Not much could be better. If only every morning looked like this.

Organized Neatly.

2011-11-09T10:33:00.004Z

The past week has been a total roller coaster, starting with my birthday and going onward to the present. On halloween, a holiday for some reason i've decided i don't really enjoy, Sascha and i embarked on an adventure to Angel. I haven't had a day where i really did whatever i wanted in such a long time, and in honor of Halloween, and my birthday the day after, we really did it up. These were the spoils of our travels.

Stockholm Surprise.

2011-10-26T20:13:00.006+01:00

Getting whisked away on a four day holiday sounds pretty much the stuff that's made up for movies. Luckily, it's for real life too, and last weekend i was taken on a surprise trip to Stockholm. I'd been there before in the summertime, but this time it was amazing seeing it at the height of autumn just when it was starting to become wintery and crisp. The leaves were all changing color, something which they refuse to do in London, so i felt as though i got a bit of my fill that i'm so used to from autumn spent at home in Bucks County. We stayed just outside the city, getting into the center of town by boat, a beautiful way to get around. Now i'm back in grey and rainy london missing the abundance of water and lovely streets.

This week's flowers.

2011-10-05T22:55:00.001+01:00

Picnics in new places.

2011-10-05T22:51:00.002+01:00

On sunday we ventured to a part of london we never do, and got there on a boat nonetheless. Going to greenwich via the water in the throes of an Indian Summer day was more than magnificent. Walking around it looks as if you're on a movie set, and ironically it's often used as one in period dramas. We had a picnic comprising of a number of odd things since the sandwiches were all already sold out, coupled with gin and tonics and cornish ales, it was a perfect way to spend a sunday.

Once Again, Cornwall.

2011-09-28T22:31:00.003+01:00

Back from the Wilderness.

2011-09-28T22:18:00.004+01:00

Yet again i'm just back from another trip to cornwall. To the place where you get inside the bubble and stay there for as long as you can forgetting everything else happening in the world. In the past week there was a beautiful wedding of two friends, a long train journey, many glasses of wine with new friends and old, crosswords and card games.

How Weekends Look.

2011-09-12T12:42:00.003+01:00

Coffee, tea cakes, baked camembert, flowers and crack pie.

Homegrown Flowers.

2011-09-12T12:37:00.003+01:00

The only thing better than getting flowers from the Sunday Market is having flowers fresh picked from a garden. My lovely friend Hianta has a little allotment and this weekend she harvested her Dahlias which we arranged on her windowsill in the evening.

A Case Study.

2011-09-12T12:33:00.002+01:00

Last weekend i was introduced to Tunnock's Tea Cakes for the first time. I'm a total sucker for packaging that looks like it hasn't ever been changed, and this does not disappoint. They remind me of a cake version of mallo cup in a domed form. They're almost too pretty to unwrap and devour.

Bouquets.

2011-09-04T11:36:00.002+01:00

It's always funny in a house the little things that make all the difference. For me flowers are key. I was sent on a flower buying mission for work, and got to pretend for just a second that the budget i was given was for me. Walking down the street with a massive bouquet of flowers amused me, wondering what the passersby were thinking they had come from. Purples, blues and pinks bursting from brown paper waiting to be arranged and placed in corners and on tables.

Today feels like this.

2011-08-29T17:46:00.001+01:00

New House, Pt. 2.

2011-08-29T17:26:00.002+01:00

Moving into a new flat is always stressful, but the feeling you get once you're settled is unbeatable. For the first time since i've been in london i'm really happy with where i'm living. And on top of it, i feel like it looks like me.

New House, Pt. 1.

2011-08-29T17:19:00.002+01:00

Home.

2011-08-28T11:45:00.002+01:00

Dilly's.

2011-08-28T11:38:00.002+01:00

Dilly's. Where to begin. I've been going to Dilly's since i was little, and not much has changed since then. A tiny shack that serves all varieties of hot dogs, burgers, fries and milkshakes, it sits next to the river happily, and is always packed. After ordering you get given a playing card, anxiously awaiting your number to be called. After eating whatever you've chosen, depending on age, you go to the canal or the river and try your luck at catching some tadpoles. After the tadpoles are caught you go back for a malted milkshake. It's a place that reminds me of being a kid, and how sometimes simplicity is key.

My New Favorite Ingredient.

2011-08-28T11:28:00.002+01:00

Lately i've been getting more and more obsessed with sanbitter, and lo and behold, in bucks county, pennsylvania i found a case. Not only is the packaging beautiful and the color amazing, but it's also delicious when pour over ice with a slice of orange. And if you're feeling like something a bit sharper, add a bit of gin. This has quickly become my late summer summer cocktail of choice.

After a Brief Respite.

2011-08-28T11:15:00.003+01:00

Well, now i'm back to London after a brief sojourn to the United States. It's a strange reversal to be in a sunny london and know that my house in pennsylvania is being pummeled by a hurricane. Having moved into a new flat, made a four hour long trip to ikea, put together an entire living room with the help of ikea directions and an allen wrench, two bottles of champagne and a bottle and a half of gin and working jet lagged, i'm tired to say the least. But i'm back! And i'm going to be better about posting. Promise!

Kate Moss + Vogue + Wedding = Amazing.

2011-08-11T18:17:00.003+01:00

Kate Moss' wedding, shot by Mario Testino, and now hitting Vogue this month is all a match made in heaven. Looking like an editorial the entire way, the day looks magical, and Kate Moss, as usual, looks stunning.

History in Color.

2011-07-27T00:04:00.002+01:00

Unless we were there, most of us think of the imagery of world war two in black and white. These offer a completely different glimpse into how London looked after the blitz. The color somehow brings the photos into a recognizable reality, and helps to make us remember that it wasn't so long ago.

Want.

2011-07-26T23:41:00.002+01:00

Being Incapacitated.

2011-07-09T13:17:00.004+01:00

The upside to being laid up for a bit is that you get to do things you never usually have time to do, the downside, is that the things that are usually easy get incredibly hard. I haven't left the house in two days... stepped outside onto the balcony for about three minutes, and so far, have spent most of that time watching movies i've been meaning to see and trying to figure out why i should want to have Google+. It would all be easier if i was better at doing nothing, but unfortunately, after two and a half days of hobbling around on one leg and crutches, i'm pretty over it. Time for some more rom coms and period films. Hooray!

Color and Square.

2011-07-07T19:25:00.003+01:00

Currywurst and the Reichstag, puppies and friends, taking pictures and beer on the canal next to bocce.

Colors and Rectangle.

2011-07-07T19:19:00.003+01:00

Somehow this roll that was shot in color, and in a rectangular format, seemed to burst with some beautiful shades of pastels that i seemed to find all around Berlin. From a rose climbing up a green wall, to rows of freshly painted houses, there was an abundance of things to look at and to get sucked into.

Black and White Squares.

2011-07-07T18:46:00.003+01:00

It's always such a holding your breath moment when the film arrives back from being developed. I've divided up the film into black and white and color, square and rectangular, each fitting into their own little category. Even though most of the pictures are from Berlin, they all take on a different feeling.

An Apology.

2011-06-30T23:51:00.002+01:00

It was recently pointed out to me that my blog was getting 'dusty'. It's not that i don't want to write anything, it's more the problem of needing a few more hours in the day. When trying to sort out ones life, sometimes the blog falls into the cracks. Soon! There will be an update with lots and lots of pictures and words. In the meantime, here is a piece i wrote for this month's ArtWrit. I haven't been so moved by such a small, simple show in a long time. I left thinking about it for weeks, if you're in london, go explore it at the Whitechapel Gallery.

Berlin, Pt. 2.

2011-06-06T13:23:00.004+01:00

Berlin, Pt. 1.

2011-06-06T13:11:00.004+01:00

Last month i went to Berlin for the first time, having no idea what to expect after hearing from friends mostly about the club binges they went on... not my thing. Much to my relief what i found in Berlin was a wonderful scene of endless little cafes, lakes, tons of greenery and lovely friends to drink many glasses of prosecco & aperol with.

Summer Is Here...

2011-06-01T00:28:00.002+01:00

Summer has arrived in London... i think (and i hope). Tonight sitting in the garden with a candle, two of my favorite people, some delicious dinner and a liter bottle of wine, it seemed like summer was here. It's just at that point where you try your hardest to stay outside until after sunset, trying with all your might to fight the cold that creeps in slowly. Baseball has begun, the barbeques have been dusted off and sometimes, just sometimes, it's warm enough to wear dresses without the winter staple of black tights. This said, in true London fashion, hours before, it had been the greyest day with hail coming out of no where. Summer, are you here or not?

Plastic & Film.

2011-05-02T23:04:00.005+01:00

It's been a while since i shot on a Holga with 120 film. Actually, to be honest i can't remember the last time i didn't use one with the polaroid back i have. There's something so amazing about the anticipation of shooting a whole roll of film (or many many more) and having no idea whether any of the prints turned out... it's lucky after not having shot with a Holga in a while if two or three shots turn out, and totally expected if they're all full of light leaks and double exposures. I remember as a kid being handed a Holga by my parents and playing with it in disbelief that something so light and toylike could actually produce amazing pictures. This time around the camera came to Cornwall, a place where the surroundings make the photos and not vice versa.

Next Adventure.

2011-04-28T22:44:00.003+01:00

I always get excited when i see beautiful places online then realize they're in England. And not that far from London! This Inn looks like it was designed just for me. All of the little details are exactly right.

Postcards.

2011-04-28T22:38:00.002+01:00

Well, this time it's Pantone. Guess i'll have to use up my Penguin Classics postcards in a hurry and move onto these asap.

Country Air.

2011-04-25T01:37:00.003+01:00

In the past month i've spent lots of time breathing in country air. At the beginning of April it was in Cornwall for ten days, a trip that spoiled me with views of the sea that i've seen a few times now and still completely stun me with their beauty. There's nothing quite like leaving london and hitting the barrier of fresh air that you forget you're missing out on when you're in the city smog for months on end. Your head feels clearer and your clothes smell fresher. This weekend was a jaunt to Kent, a new part of england i hadn't even seen before, and how wonderful it was. It's the kind of place that immediately feels like home with windy roads, fields full of yellowy flowers, bluebells all along the roadside and beautiful old houses. Filling up on clean sunshiney air, now i'm back in london and eager to get back to the country side as soon and as much as possible. Never too soon for a country escape.

Lovely Rings.

2011-04-25T01:15:00.004+01:00

After a weekend spent with the wonderful AGB i'm inspired by big rings. This has been further fueled by these. I'm going to sleep on this and then see if they still seem completely necessary to add to the collection when i wake up in the morning.

Another Video.

2011-04-21T20:25:00.002+01:00

Aedi - Peter & Clara - music video from MadeOn on Vimeo.

This week's theme is beautiful videos. Okay, two beautiful videos. Who knew you could do something so pretty with ink and water.

Secret Ingredients.

2011-04-21T20:04:00.002+01:00

As of late days have been whirlwinds and weeks and months go by in a flash. I can't keep everything straight, let alone, find time to do much for myself (this includes writing on here). London has decided to give winter a rest, the sun has come out to play and everything is in bloom. When night time comes and the day is over i've been finding reading Secret Ingredients calms the mind. I can't believe it's taken me this long to get this New Yorker compilation, but it honestly was worth whatever the wait has been. Whether it's little tidbits written in the 30s about meat gatherings or Bourdain writing about what days are best to eat fish it's been lulling me to sleep in the best way possible. If you have any interest in food, get it. Now. Hurry.

Stars.

2011-04-18T23:33:00.002+01:00

The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

From the time i was little i have always been fascinated with time lapse photography. This pretty much takes the cake.

A Look Back at Your Own Family.

2011-03-29T21:19:00.003+01:00

Looking at old pictures of my grandparents i find myself looking for every tiny bit of me in them. I don't have to look hard at my grandmother. We look exactly the same. If only i could fit into all of her amazing old clothing. 21 inch waists are hard to come by these days.

Sometimes...

2011-03-24T22:31:00.002Z

Sometimes we do inexplicable things. Today i decided i wanted to make plum jam and for some reason had it in my head to just buy a whole box of plums. I'm not sure if i thought that they would reduce down a huge amount, or whether i was just forgetting that that is a whole lot of plums to make jam out of the blue. So now, i have many jars of plum jam, and maybe one of them has your name on it.

Speaking of which...

2011-03-23T23:07:00.003Z

There's a new Canal House out soon... and as if that's not exciting enough that means there's a new updated website (thanks to my mama!) AND if THAT isn't getting you going... which it should, a recipe for one of my all time favorite drinks is up on the site. If this doesn't usher in spring i'm not sure what will. I cannot wait for this book to arrive, it's like christmas every few months with Canal House.

Forced Rhubarb.

2011-03-23T22:54:00.003Z

Tis the season for beautiful Forced Yorkshire Rhubarb. There's something so alluring about eating something that is picked by candlelight so that it maintains it's bright pink hue and a certain sweetness. This also means it's time to break out one of my favorite Canal House recipes, because as far as i'm concerned they can do no wrong. Unfortunately, the recipe isn't on their site, but, almost exactly a year ago one of my favorite foodie bloggers adapted the recipe with white wine. I don't normally do it this way, but tonight it's all i had around. It still came out beautifully, and is amazing on its own, or with a bit of greek yogurt. Yay for rhubarb! I don't see getting tired of this any time soon.

A Week of Consumption.

2011-03-20T19:02:00.001Z

(Photos via Sascha)

It's been a week of consumption and now it's time for a break. Back to normality and less eating and drinking.

Gallavanting.

2011-03-15T00:10:00.003Z

My london partner in crime is back for a week. In short that equals more museums than a brain can process and more food than a stomach can handle, with extravagant drinks thrown into that mix.

Introducing...

2011-03-02T12:19:00.002Z

My bike! After wanting to get one for over a year it finally happened. Thanks to a friend who got a new bike, i got this one, and i love it. Just a few more adjustments and it will feel like it's absolutely mine.

Rochelle Canteen.

2011-03-02T12:12:00.003Z

Again, i've waited far too long to go to Rochelle Canteen. I decided due to the imminent closing of the restaurant because of the council i had better hurry up and check it out. This morning i went for breakfast and realized it was the perfect place to start my day. It's just the right amount of quiet, the tea, porridge and eggs i split were amazing and you feel tucked in and like you're keeping a bit of a secret once you're inside; entering through the gate you feel as though you're entering another world. It made me hope that all of the letters people have written petitioning to stay open are heard, and this place isn't closed to the public. If you haven't already send a letter asap. I'll be going as many times as possible until a decision is made.

Mondays Off.

2011-02-28T15:45:00.002Z

I keep debating whether i miss having a traditional saturday/sunday weekend, or whether my current sunday/monday off are actually the way to go. There's something nice about having monday off when everyone else is getting back to the daily grind. Today i decided to make the best of sleeping in late on this grey day with delicious plum jam a friend made, scrabble, seinfeld and a pot of tea. I think that makes a strong case for having monday off.

Shadows.

2011-02-26T01:17:00.003Z

I haven't been very inspired to write anything lately on this blog, and then today, there was some sunshine and somehow it made me feel a spark. I had forgotten how dismal february in london is. It's seriously mood altering in a way i haven't ever felt weather to be. My whole life i've enjoyed rainy days more than anyone else i know, save maybe one or two others who share my view of how completely cozy they are. However, rainy days in london aren't the same as rainy days back home. Here it isn't rain that makes a lovely noise on the window panes, instead it's a damp, cold mist that goes straight to your core and makes you shiver. And february, is day after day of that. The only upside is that when it's sunny you feel incredible.

The past two days have finally given me a bit of hope in the gloom. The sun today came and went, but while it stuck around i realized that because london has been so grey there haven't been beautiful shadows in a long time. Everything is matte. No shadow follows you around. And then today, all of the sudden, my shadow was back.

Just because...

2011-02-18T00:09:00.000Z

Hemingway was amazing. I wish i could go back in time and have a drink with him.

Hooray for Rabbits.

2011-02-07T23:00:00.002Z

Year of the Rabbit from Frater on Vimeo.

I'm a rabbit. This is the year of the rabbit. Does that mean this year will be lucky?

Fleet Foxes.

2011-02-05T21:12:00.002Z

Finally Fleet Foxes announced they were putting out a new album. I feel like i've been waiting for ages. The countdown begins.

Other Neighborhoods.

2011-02-02T23:03:00.004Z

Sometimes i forget how easy it is to get stuck in the east london bubble. Today i was forced out of it by having to run an errand on New Bond St, and honestly, it was amazing to walk around that part of town. I had forgotten how much i love green park, even when it's misty and a bit grey. And also i had forgotten about the fact that i live in the same place that the queen does... so i went to go see if she was in and the flag was indeed up. The wandering did me good. It was a mini adventure in a seemingly not so adventurous part of london.

Always a sucker for stop motion.

2011-02-02T23:00:00.000Z

diy valentine's cakes from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

Another wonderful video by tiger in a jar.

Pomegranate and Chocolate.

2011-02-01T23:31:00.002Z

Food, food and more food.

2011-01-30T00:32:00.004Z

This week has been food themed. Seriously, i don't think i've ever so many incredibly rich and delicious meals in one week. Some of them were more absurd than others, some were new places, some were old standbys. Some were sports joints with lots of beer and some were lavish prix fixe meals. It's time for a fast. (Not really though).

Want.

2011-01-28T00:03:00.000Z

How Have I Never Been.

2011-01-26T00:37:00.005Z

Until last night i'd never been to St. John Bread and Wine before, which to be honest, is ridiculous. It's been waiting there, just around the corner for me to go to for over a year. And let me tell you... i did it up for my first time and feel like i should basically never have to eat again. Hooray for having huge celebratory style meals for no reason. I think you'll understand what i mean when i break down the meal two of us consumed in list form.

+ dry sherry

+ razor clams

+ game terrine with damsons

+ butternut squash soup

+ one bottle of roussillon

+ venison pie for two

+ buttery greens

+ blood orange sorbet with vodka

+ hot chocolate pudding

+ grenache

+ calvados

+ coffee

Simple Things.

2011-01-24T10:53:00.001Z

These kinds of soap holders aren't something i ever saw until i got to England. And for some completely unknown reason, i always really like them.

Elle Girl Japan Debut.

2011-01-16T03:19:00.002Z

Well, sometimes you have days where you get shot by the selby AND you see a spread in elle girl japan you were in on the same day. So much for being shy.

Christmas in 10 Photos.

2011-01-09T23:11:00.003Z

Stumptown.

2011-01-09T17:34:00.004Z

A place worth it's own post. On my dad's recommendation i went up to Stumptown (in the Ace Hotel) last week when i was in the city. I'm not quite sure what i expected, but what greeted me was a coffee shop that looked like someone who would definitely be my friend had designed it. Good coffee + taxidermy + old looking machines = great.

Well, sure.

2011-01-08T22:57:00.004Z

A New Year.

2011-01-03T00:03:00.004Z

2011. It still doesn't feel quite right writing it out. There's always a point in time at the beginning of the year that i'm stunned by the fact that another year is gone. The new year looks foreign, like something you imagined as a distant future. Kind of like when you watch an old movie that imagine how it will be in the year 2000. Flying cars! Silver outfits! Future foods! This one seems like such an unknown. For some reason i feel like a lot will change. But i'm not quite sure what it will be yet. Just a hunch.

Milk Punch.

2011-01-01T00:28:00.003Z

This stuff has been getting devoured at our house all through the holidays. Apparently Ben Franklin was also a fan.

My Light.

2010-12-12T20:08:00.000Z

That i like a lot. Simple and old is just always good.

Christmas Wish.

2010-12-07T19:00:00.001Z

Christmas is coming.

2010-12-06T22:20:00.002Z

I've officially begun my countdown to flying home for Christmas. Two. More. Weeks. I haven't been this excited to go home since i've been in London, and i can't exactly place why that is. I think it might be the excitement that generally sweeps through the house at this time of year, and the oncoming cold and snow, and the knowledge that when i walk through the back door of my house there will be a little brother and a massive rottweiler to greet me. I cannot wait.

Belated Thanksgiving.

2010-12-06T22:13:00.006Z

So, being here in London as an American, the one thing that really just hasn't felt quite right yet is Thanksgiving. Having shops open the day of, and people not understand why you want to celebrate it the day of the holiday just makes for lots of Thanksgiving feeling confusion. This year instead of cooking myself we went to a friend's house, and i of course was put in charge of making the pies. I made them the night before because i knew i wouldn't have time the next day, and i found myself flitting around the house rolling out pie crust, trying to find something to make holes in the top pie crust that was just the right size, and all the meanwhile, i did my best to talk with all of my friends and family back home. We laughed about Thanksgivings abroad, and in some ways the night before, talking to friends, felt more like Thanksgiving than the next day. There's nothing quite like video chatting with your mom across the Atlantic while you both giggle over how time consuming it is to make four pies.

Another Period Drama.

2010-11-22T17:16:00.003Z

There seems to be something in the air over here in England, and lucky for me it centers around period dramas. Being saddened about the loss of Downton Abbey i've discovered a four part series on Channel Four called Any Human Heart. So far, so good. I'm only one episode in and totally hooked. Jim Broadbent stars in the series, which has been adapted from the book of the same name, and it traces the life of Logan Mountstuart, a writer growing up in the glorious 20s. Let's see where this one goes!

London Fog.

2010-11-18T19:44:00.002Z

Care Packages from Home.

2010-11-18T19:26:00.006Z

There's nothing quite like the care packages that i get as a joint effort from my mother and little brother. To give you the best idea of what joy this brings me i will simply make a list of what i discovered in the latest one i received.

+ one pair frye boots i've been missing

+ one grass green sweater wrapped in ribbon for the boy

+ a box of john deere fruit snacks

+ a bag of miniature halloween candy

+ one package leopard print tissues

+ one kitten shaped hole punch

+ one package huge stick on rhinestones

+ one birthday coupon from a sushi restaurant we frequent at home

+ one portuguese postcard found by little brother at school

+ one package thank you notes

+ martha stewart cookies magazine

+ a hat my mom crocheted

I'm not positive what i'll do with it all yet, but i do know it continually makes me smile when i look at it all.

ArtWrit.

2010-11-15T21:30:00.003Z

I periodically write for ArtWrit, and love so much doing so. The newest issue is out now with a piece i wrote about the Sunflower Seeds by Ai WeiWei in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern. Check it out!

Jane Eyre.

2010-11-15T21:22:00.002Z

As someone who just got over the wonderful series that was Downton Abbey, it doesn't need to be said that i'm a sucker for period dramas. And that addiction coupled with my love of Jane Eyre makes me insanely excited about this new film. I've been lucky enough to meet the director a few times, and the fact that he is totally hilarious and charming doesn't hurt me wanting to see this either. The countdown begins!

The Past Few Weeks.

2010-11-08T20:22:00.004Z

The past few weeks have been big ones. Moving into a new flat. A one year london anniversary. The boy's birthday. Our one year anniversary. My birthday. A housewarming party. And work work work work work. Now that it's all over i've realized that it's just now i'm getting to sit back and take all of the excitement in. Sometimes i forget that it's good to take a second to enjoy things instead of being so meticulous that you're always thinking of what's next. The past few weeks have been completely incredible.

A Fast Change.

2010-11-08T20:12:00.003Z

Autumn came fast. Leaves turned colors up and down the streets i walk down day in and day out. Chillier breezes started picking up. Menus became more cozy. Days became shorter. And now all of the sudden it's seemingly winter. It starts getting dark at 4:30. All i want to eat is soup. All i want to do is curl up under a huge blanket. All i can think about is how soon christmas will rush to greet us all. It's become the time of year where everyone starts getting pensive, thinking about the year that's gone by. Where did autumn go so fast? It seemed like it just got here. I'm not ready for winter yet.